Your family are proud of you. Your friends think you’re living the dream. But still, something isn’t quite right.
From moments of intense loneliness, to the burden of tackling business problems alone, being a professional nomad can throw up relational challenges that none of us considered when we got on that plane all those months ago.
You may even have considered throwing in the towel and seeking sanctuary in the place we know best – home. But for most of us, we know that giving up on this dream isn’t an option.
So what is?
How do we hold on to this incredible lifestyle and the dream that goes with it, whilst getting the mental, emotional and social support that, like it or not, we all need as humans?
It seems like a bit of a paradox really; feeling grounded whilst travelling from place to place…but it really is possible. “Possible to do what?” you ask. It’s possible for you to build your business, find a global family effortlessly, and be the truest expression of yourself at the same time.
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Keep reading and I’ll show you how the simple act of adding a travel community to your life will change your nomadic journey forever.
So why choose to travel with a travel community?
Forming connections with others can be one of the greatest gifts of travel, but it’s also the first thing most of us are prepared to sacrifice when we get on that flight. Maybe we don’t consider it a priority because deep down we feel that there’s no point investing the time if we’re never going to see these people again. The process becomes so tedious as you explain the same things over and over…
Imagine this. You’re single and ready to mingle. Before you, is two choices. You can go for a string of one night stands and hot, steamy love affairs. Alternatively you could opt to have a full-blown romance. Both of these experiences are passionate, deeply transformative and all-consuming. Neither is more elevated than the other but both will produce a different result.
But one option provides short bursts of excitement for a limited period of time. The fun is had and you move on. The other option takes longer to build but offers the potential to provide years of joy, support and love. An opportunity to really appreciate and be appreciated.
Choosing to embed into a travel community versus leaving life to chance and hoping you meet great people in a hostel or on a tour, is just like that. One offers great times for a limited period. One offers the chance to be so much more, whilst retaining that organic, free-form feel of a family. Both have their merits…
…but what is it that you want?
But I don’t want a ‘managed’ experience
If you’re reading this, you know about some of the big players in the digital nomad space. You also know you’ve been travelling for a long time and you don’t necessarily want a ‘package deal’. You want the relationships without losing the opportunity to form your own travel experience. A travel community that is fluid enough for you to be as free spirited as you please…sounds good right?
You retain your autonomy, but not at the expense of the deep relationships that a package trip normally brings. The convenience is just the doorway. What you stand to gain from locking in with others is beyond monetary value.
The good news of course…
…is that it’s within your reach.
Now, I’m the content writer and I am a part of the WiFi Tribe team. Knowing that I might be accused of having a high level of bias (no regrets), I caught up with Danielle, who is one of our Tribe members.
She’s been travelling with us in Medellin for the last two months after years of travelling by herself and living the badass backpacking lifestyle. She had more than a few pointers of what you stand to gain, if you decide to take the leap and link in with a global family for real.
A Family Vibe…
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It’s like a cushion… you need a family and this is a really good way to achieve that.
Danielle Shay – WiFi Tribe Member and Entrepreneur
Some of the most comforting aspects of family life is the promise of emotional support and that need to feel loved and accepted into a wider group. We love a bit of Maslow don’t we; he just sums these things up so beautifully…
One of the things I come across mostly from solo travellers, is that they are desperate to share the triumphs and the struggles of their travels. You want to be able to tap into that emotional, support, that mental grounding and also that professional encouragement as well.
You could hit the most incredible milestone, or achieve a personal breakthrough, and you want to share it with someone. Your peeps back home are happy to hear from you, of course they are. But I know that it’s perfectly natural to want to share that immediate euphoria immediately, with people who will put that memory in a bank you’ll actually be able to access later on.
Also, we’re human beings. Some of us travel to get away from what we view as the mundanities of life, or to kickstart a bit of a healing process. In some instances it’s not just clothes and our laptop we’ve packed in our suitcases, but also some pain or some disappointments about things that might have happened.
Now don’t get me wrong, most of us don’t just go into meltdown and offload all our psychological baggage. But we do help each other gain different perspectives. You’ll have a whole crew of people reminding you of your worth for an extended period of time. Long enough that you can create lasting change in your thought patterns.
You can have a family that understands your quirks, your reasons for doing what you do, and you can be looked after for once. That is what will make this lifestyle sustainable. You’ll have family at home and family abroad in all the places you decide to go.
Can’t beat it.
Less Pressure to make friends…
…because you already have them.
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The pressure of having to make friends when you’re travelling alone is a lot to deal with at times. When you travel within a community you don’t have that pressure.
Danielle Shay – WiFi Tribe Member and Entrepreneur
Now of course you’ll meet people outside of your regular crew. But the difference is that you already have a great foundation of musketeers who will love you regardless. They’re always there.
So human interaction becomes a more effortless process, because most of the time, if you want to sit indoors for 3 days, somebody will be there to accompany you in that fevered focus that digital nomads know all too well.
Instead of feeling guilty that you’ve not seen daylight in 3 days and you’ve been by yourself for all that time, you laugh with your housemate, order Ubereats/local delivery and continue as though it never happened.
It’s the best way to ensure you get work done…
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If you actually want to work, I don’t think there’s a better way to do it.
Danielle Shay – WiFi Tribe Member and Entrepreneur
This is one of the perks of having so many like-minded people come together – everybody is focused on getting work done so you can drop the pressure of having to explain why it is you’ve sat in the apartment or the same cafe for 3 days while you hash out a new strategy, or execute that project.
If you’re a little lazy, it’s even better because you get a little embarrassed if you aren’t working and you know you should be. But rather than feeling condemned, everyone’s face is so friendly, you just feel inspired, so you also start kicking ass.
Also there’s people to hold you accountable – if you tell your crew that you need to get something completed, there will be no food, there will be no snacks and there will be no wine until it is done.
But that’s only a small part of it…
We have so much to share…
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In the collective group, there’s literally enough knowledge and skill to run the world.
Danielle Shay – WiFi Tribe Member and Entrepreneur
As you execute your project and your work tasks, if you get stuck, you’ve got a whole group of walking, talking solutions to your problems.
Within the digital nomad community, is a treasure trove of knowledge and skills that people are more than happy to share with one another. I can hand on heart say, that I have met some of the most inspiring people who have given me tips, tricks and the kind of life advice that literally helps you level up on situations you never thought you’d move past.
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When you have your own business it’s really hard; you have to wear a million different hats and learn so many things. Now I’m able to talk to people with so many different skills; you can ask your roommate a question and their answer could literally change your life.
Danielle Shay – WiFi Tribe Member and Entrepreneur
See? Digital nomad communities are good for business! For those of you in contention with an employer, send them the link to this article…
YOU have so much to share…
Yes you, with all your experiences, thoughts and personality, you have so much to share and contribute. You are also the walking, talking solution to somebody else’s problem. You can be a part of somebody else’s free spirited journey and form a part of the narrative they will tell their families in the years to come.
You could be the business partner someone never knew they needed. You can be the friend you know you’re capable of being and invest into the life of someone else. This isn’t travel for douchebags. This is your chance to make your mark and help others in a different way.
To Conclude…
We’re not saying that solo travel is worth nothing. That is not the case; for Danielle she’s spent years with herself and her backpack making magic and creating moments. I think the bottom line here is that you only stand to gain from inviting people in who can be a part of your life on a permanent basis.
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I literally can’t think of any negative drawbacks
Danielle Shay – WiFi Tribe Member and Entrepreneur
Can you?
A massive thanks to our Tribe Partner in Crime Danielle for putting her opinion into this – you can check out the brilliant work she’s doing here.
